So ... what actually is Coaching?
When I talk to friends and family about what I do, there are three common questions:
What actually is Coaching? Is it therapy?
What kind of things do people come to you with?
My boss has talked about getting me a coach. What have I done wrong? Am I underperforming?
Given the number times I’ve had this conversation, I thought it would be useful to put down on paper what I tell them. Hopefully you will find it a helpful insight.
Before we begin, a bit of caveat – these are my points of view (generally aligned with the International Coaching Federation (ICF)). There are a huge range of services and thoughts out there which are marketed as ‘coaching’ that will differ.
So, let’s get started.
1. What actually is coaching? Is it therapy?
I think it’s easiest to start by saying what coaching isn’t. It isn't therapy, mentoring, consulting, being a friend, training or counselling. So, in short, no it isn’t therapy :)
For those who like a ‘formal’ definition the International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as:
"partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential"
There’s quite a bit to unpack there so let’s break it down. For me, the key take-outs are:
Coaching is a real partnership between the coach and client.
Coaching focuses on the future and goals rather than the past.
Coaching is about understanding what a client really wants to achieve (personally and professionally) and working with them to work out out how to make that happen.
It’s key to realise that not all coaches tackle the same things or in the same way. Individual coaches often specialise in specific areas and can work on a one-to-one basis or hold group sessions. I generally work on a one-to-one basis and focus on high-achieving professionals who have chronic neurological conditions.
2. What kind of things do people come to you with?
In all honesty, people come to me with a huge range of things and rarely with a clearly defined topic. Here are some examples, but it’s by no means a comprehensive list!
My situation has changed and I don’t know if I should quit or change my job. There seems to be pros and cons and I can’t work out the right answer.
I’m spinning and don’t know what I really want to do.
I think I want to tell my employer about my medical condition but I’m not sure how to go about it. What happens if it all goes wrong?
The ICF has put together some stories of different people’s experiences of coaching here so please do have a read if you might find this helpful.
If you’re considering coaching and not sure if what you’d like to work on ‘qualifies’ (believe me, it almost certainly will), feel free to get in touch for a no-obligation chat.
The final question I often get asked is in relation to coaching as part of professional development.
3. My boss has talked about getting me a coach. What have I done wrong? Am I underperforming?
My immediate thought is lucky you! Your boss / employer wants to invest in you and therefore they obviously see something that they like and want to keep and develop.
I’ll let you in on a secret… No one is perfect. I know, shock horror right? Let me follow up with another little-known pearl of wisdom – we can all improve. Coaching is all about maximising your potential and the future.
The even better news is that most people actually enjoy coaching! As I love a good statistic, let me share one of my favourites. The ICF reports that "96% indicated they would repeat the process given the same circumstances that prompted them to seek a coach in the first place.”
So no, being offered coaching is not a ‘telling off’ or a poor reflection on performance. It’s an opportunity to invest in your future.
Hopefully the above has answered some of your initial questions about coaching. Generally I find they lead to a whole lot more questions so, if this has prompted more questions for you I’m always happy to talk, just drop me a message through my website and we can set up a time.